Lone Star: He Has Bling upsets Texas Stallion Stakes

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - He Has Bling became a stakes winner Saturday at Lone Star Park, when he rallied past dueling leaders to win the $75,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Stallion Stakes. The one-mile race was the first of three stakes on the program, with Tastefullyxcessive taking the $75,000 fillies division of the Stallion Stakes and Lillie Abbie up for a nose win in the $50,000 Lane’s End Stallion Scholarship.

He Has Bling ($15) settled in third early on Saturday, as 3-5 favorite Worldventurer took the field through fractions of 23.97 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.91 for the half-mile, and 1:13.64 for six furlongs, pressed along by Meme Jo. Jockey Miguel Hernandez moved He Has Bling to the lead with a furlong remaining, and the horse increased his advantage to the wire for a 2 1/4-length win, over Meme Jo.

“He ran a big race,” said Danele Durham, who trains He Has Bling for his breeder, Hall’s Family Trust. “He really blossomed at Oaklawn. He really grew, got bigger and stronger.”

He Has Bling, a 3-year-old son of Too Much Bling who in January won his maiden at Oaklawn, covered the mile on a fast track in 1:39.83.

Worldventurer, who was pressed throughout from the rail, finished fourth in his first start since a third-place finish to the Preakness-bound Departing in the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston in March. Worldventurer’s trainer, Bret Calhoun, said there was no major excuse for the horse but noted he is one who prefers the outside. Calhoun said the next-race plans for Worldventurer are to be determined by owner Peter Redekop.

Calhoun won the fillies division of the Stallion Stakes for the fourth time Saturday when Tastefullyxcessive held off Joyful Hannah for a neck win. Tastefullyxcessive ($5.40) stalked the pace set by Open Summary, who turned out fractions of 24.05 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.99 for the half-mile. Tastefullyxcessive took over through six furlongs in 1:14.38, and went on to cover the mile in 1:39.47.

“It was a perfect trip,” said Cliff Berry, who was aboard the winner for her breeder, Clarence Scharbauer. “We got to sit off the speed. She was very relaxed around the backside and when asked to run she came on.”

The Stallion Stakes was the first stakes win for Tastefullyxcessive, who is a 3-year-old daughter of Early Flyer. Calhoun’s past winners of this division of the Stallion Stakes are Lilly Ladue in 2007, Tin Top Cat in 2010, and Princess Turandot in 2011.

Lillie Abbie ($26) edged favorite Lasting Bubbles by a nose in the $50,000 Lane’s End Stallion Scholarship Stakes for fillies and mares, winning in her first start since being claimed for $10,000. She covered the 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:30.60. Junior Chacaltana rode the winner for End Zone Athletics and trainer Karl Broberg.